What are the roots that clutch, what branches growOut of this story rubbish? Son of man,You cannot say, or guess, for you know onlyA heap of broken images, where the sun beats,And the dead tree gives no shelter, the cricket no relief,And the dry stone no sound of water. OnlyThere is shadow under this red rock,(Come in under the shadow of this red rock),And I will show you something different from eitherYour shadow at morning striding behind youOr your shadow at evening rising to meet you;I will show you fear in a handful of dust.

During the World Population Day ceremony held by the Ministry of Finance and UNFPA on Thursday (12/7) at the Hotel Timor in Dili, President José Ramos-Horta appealed to the Timorese people to help decrease the rate of child birth from seven to two.

Mr. Horta said that this year’s statistics show that there are currently approximately 1 million people. He added that if each family continues having 7 children, the population will increase by 2 million in two years also adding to the preoccupations of the nation. (STL)

UNPol: No political violence in Uatolari

UNPol said that it has not received any reports of violence involving political party supporters in Viqueque district.

“We have only received one report of an incident that occurred last Sunday at the Uatolari Market. This was not a politically related incident,” said UNPol Spokesperson, Monica Rodriguez on Thursday (12/7). (STL)

Political parties need to explain article 106 of the constitution

The Vice President of Committee B for Defence and Foreign Affairs at the National Parliament, Clementino dos Reis Amaral said that political parties must explain article 106 of the constitution to their supporters in order to avoid conflicts. The article relates to the formation of the new government. (STL)

ETCRN congratulates CNE and STAE

The East Timor Crisis Reflection Network (ETCRN) congratulated the CNE and STAE for the good conduct of the parliamentary elections on 30 June.

The ETCRN Coordinator, Jaimito Candido said that the Timorese have been able to organize their first presidential and parliamentary elections successfully. (STL)

UNMIT to hold meeting with political parties

The United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) will hold monthly meetings with the political party leaders. The decision was made when UNMIT held a meeting with political parties last Thursday (6/7). (STL)

UNDERTIM will help Fretilin to form government

The UNDERTIM party led by Cornelio Gama and Cristiano da Costa will help [the ruling party] Fretilin to form a government by giving them some ideas, however they will not join them in a coalition.

“UNDERTIM will maintain its political autonomy,” said UNDERTIM Secretary-General Cristiano da Costa on Thursday (12/7) after meeting with President José Ramos-Horta in Dili. (TP)

Alfredo will not store weapons in containers

Attorney-General Longuinhos Monteiro said that fugitive Alfredo Reinado Alves and his men refused to store their weapons in the containers provided by the state.

Reinado’s lawyer Benevides Correia on the other hand explained that they are waiting for some issues to be clarified before using the containers. (DN)

Maria Angelina: 83 complaints submitted to CNE do not affect the election results

At a press conference held at the CNE office on Thursday (12/7) in Dili, the CNE spokesperson, Maria Angelina informed that the CNE received 83 complaints during the electoral process.

Ms. Angelina said that out of the 83 cases, only 11 cases went against the electoral law or were considered criminal offenses, but as announced by the Court of Appeals these cases would not affect the results. (DN)

New serious crimes unit will be established in Timor-Leste

Attorney-General Longuinhos Monteiro on Thursday (12/7) informed that a new Serious Crimes Unit will be established in Timor-Leste to investigate the cases from 1999. (DN)

The secretary general of Fretilin Mr. Mari Alkatiri has stated that any opposition party that opposes the Government will be an enemy of the Government.

“It is clear, however that the role of the opposition is not entirely as a traitor as an opposition is needed to overview the government’s programmes,” said Mr. Alkatiri. (TP)

No political parties have bad intention toward the country

Mr. Mariano Sabino, the general secretary of Democratic Party (PD) which proposes to be one party within an alliance said on Wednesday at the Hotel Timor, that no one political party has bad intentions. Rather they are united in their view of democracy and self determination.

“Today’s democracy is the result of Fretilin’s struggle for self-determination”

Based on the current situation PD hopes to create a government open to every party in order to solve the crisis within the country,” said Mr. Mariano. (TP)

UNDERTIM wants Xanana and Mari Alkatiri working together

Following the announcement of results by the Court of Appeal on Wednesday, the political party UNDERTIM has called upon Xanana Gusmão and Mari Alkatiri to end their political differences.

UNDERTIM will hold two seats in the government.

“UNDERTIM needs Fretilin and CNRT to collaborate and work together.”

“All parties should respect that Fretilin won the election with a simple majority and Fretilin is also giving its respect to the minority who have seats in the parliament,” said Cornelio Gama L-7, the president of UNDERTIM on Wednesday (11/7) in his residence in Fatuhada, Dili. (STL)

Horta’s decision on Reinado is legal

The political expert of the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL), Alarico da Costa Ximenes told journalists on Wednesday that the declaration by the President of Republic, José Ramos Horta on Alfredo Reinado Alves and his men is legal.

He explained that Horta’s decision reflects the power of law from the four essential organs in Timor-Leste, namely the national parliament, president, government and judiciary.

“The presidential decision is a wise one. It reflects the need for stability in Timor-Leste and the need for Reinado’s safety.” (STL and DN)

PUN intends to be an opposition party in the national parliament

The National Unity Party (PUN) who has one three seats in the national parliament, will not take part in the proposed alliance between CNRT, ASDT-PSD and PD, preferring to become an opposition party in the national parliament.

“We want to be the opposition party in the national parliament, to focus on justice and go against cronyism, corruption and nepotism in the country,” declared the president of PUN, Ms. Fernanda Borges on Wednesday (11/7) at PUN’s office in Taibisse, Dili. (STL and DN)

The alliance is ready

The coalition parties’ (CNRT, ASDT-PSD and PD) alliance will become the opposition party when President of Republic nominates Fretilin to form the new government.

The ASDT’s Secretary-Geral, Gil Alves, the president of national council of PSD, Zacarias Albano da Costa, CNRT’s representative, Duarte Nunes and PD’s representative, Adriano Nascimento, declared on Wednesday (11/7) in Hotel Timor, Dili, that the alliance parties signed an MOU for the functioning of their majority coalition, stipulating that they will work together on all aspects in the national parliament. (STL)

Alkatiri doesn’t discuss the future concept of the new government

The Secretary-General of Fretilin, Mari Alkatiri refused to discuss the future concept of East Timor’s new government, saying instead that he wants to discuss the platform and programme of the political parties.

“Essentially, Fretilin wants to go forward,” he said.

He mentioned that, so far, Fretilin has received official letters from three parties, CNRT, ASDT-PSD and PD. The letters state that these parties are ready to have dialogue led by the president of republic. (STL)

Fretilin militants condemn violence in Uatolari

The militants and sympathizers of [ruling party] Fretilin condemned the violence in Viqueque district, sub-district Uatolari.

The last incident happened on 30 of June after the Election Day result; three houses were burnt, one person was injured and several shops were looted.

Manuel Tilman: NP’s mandate will end in September 15

The member of national parliament from KOTA, Manuel Tilman, stated on Wednesday (11/7) in national parliament that according to the law for the national parliament (NP), its mandate will end on 15 of September this year.

He stated that before 15 of September (on the 14 September) all members of national parliament will leave their seats for the new members of national parliament. (TP)

UNDP-AusAID strengthen cooperation for the development of Timor-Leste

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) strengthen their relationship and cooperation to assist the development of East Timor.

This cooperation was formalized during a signing of an accord on Monday (9/7) in Dili by the UNDP Country Directory, Akbar Usmani and the AusAID Development Corporation Counselor, Robin Scott – Charlton.

“AusAID and UNDP agree to increase assistance through governance cooperation, especially law and justice, elections and the parliament,” said the UNDP press release. (TP)

Menezes: the government should force a dialogue with Alfredo

The Spokesperson of the Democratic Party (PD), Rui Menezes said that the government should force a dialogue with Alfredo in order to confirm his status.

Mr. Menezes said that before the President makes decisions on whether Alfredo should be allowed to carry weapons or not, a dialogue should take place in order to determine his status.

Elizario Fereira, a member of Fretilin, said that there is no difference between a pistol or a weapon, except for maybe the size.

“According to the constitution, no civilian is allowed to carry a weapon,” said Mr. Fereira. (DN)

Longuinhos: “The state will provide boxes to store Alfredo’s weapons”

The Attorney-General of Timor-Leste said that in line with the President’s decision to allow Alfredo to carry a pistol, the state will provide boxes to store Alfredo’s heavy weapons.

Longuinhos explained that the containers will be distributed through the Attorney-General and will be transported by ISF helicopters. (DN)

Tomas Cabral: STAE and CNE duties end While attending the announcement of the results of the Parliamentary Elections on Wednesday (11/7) at the Court of Appeals in Dili, the STAE Director, Thomas Cabral told journalist that with the announcement of results, the roles of STAE and CNE have come to an end.

“We should all accept the results and wait for the formation of the new government,” said Mr. Cabral. (DN)

Dili, July 13 (Kyodo News) - East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta said Friday the country's new legislative assembly will open its first session July 30.

The decision followed a daylong meeting among Ramos-Horta, the outgoing ruling party Fretilin and the alliance AMP.

''The significant outcome of this daylong conversation is that we have agreed that the speaker of our national parliament, based on his prerogatives, will call the first session of the new legislative assembly for the 30th of July,'' Ramos-Horta told reporters after the meeting.

He said it is a priority for the country to have the legislature function and he expected a new government to be announced after the new parliament takes office.

Last month elections left no political party with a majority of 33 seats of its own.Fretilin won the most seats.

A party led by former President Xanana Gusmao, which came in second, decided to establish a parliamentary alliance with other two smaller parties, securing 37 seats.

Under the Constitution, the president has the most power to decide which party is to try to form a government if all fail to win a majority of seats.

Ramos-Horta said there were four options of the future government: ''One option, Fretilin forms the government alone but then falls; another option is the parliamentary alliance form the government and Fretilin goes automatically to opposition.''

The other options are an all-inclusive government led by Fretilin or an all-inclusive led by the alliance.

The Dili District Court (operating at the Court of Appeal) continued the trial of the case relating to an attack on the residence of Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak. The hearing commenced at precisely 15:12 and concluded at 20:10 on Monday 09 July 2007. The hearing was scheduled for 14:30 but the counsel for the defence failed to show up on time so the presiding judge Dra. Maria das Dores decided to summon a member of the Public Defenders Unit to replace the absent lawyer so the trial could continue despite the delay.

For this hearing the defence presented four witnesses to testify about the charges brought against Abilio Mausoko and his co-accused. One of the four witnesses was an expert witness from UNPOL who is of Portuguese origin. The respective names of the witnesses are Elizário da Silva, Marcelo de Carvalho, Dinis Cabral da Silva, and Sergeant Carlos Alberto, who was the expert witness from UNPOL.

The expert witness appeared before the court simply for the purpose of clarifying the types of guns used by the defendants at the time of the incident and to describe how those weapons were used. Roberto Pacheco, a legal researcher from JSMP who has been monitoring this trial, commented that there was poor coordination between the witnesses and the court actors who were trying to establish the truth in the aforementioned case.

After the examination of witnesses was completed, the hearing continued with the recommendation of sentence from the Public Prosecutor and the final statement from the defence. The Public Prosecutor stated that the purpose of this trial was to value and respect human dignity. He also iterated that the law should be placed above all other interests.

In his recommendation of sentence the international prosecutor Felismino Cardoso stated that the defendant Abilio “Mausoko” Mesquita is charged with three counts, namely theft as set out in Article 372 of the Indonesian Penal Code as well as the use of guns to disturb the public order as contained in Section 4.4.7 of UNTAET REGULATION No. 05/2001 on Guns, Ammunition and Explosives in Timor Leste. The acts of the defendant also violated Article 53 of the Indonesian Penal Code which relates to attempted murder.

The other three defendants, namely Artur Avelar Borges, Almerindo da Costa, and Valente de Araújo, were only charged with two counts, namely attempted murder as set out in Article 53 of the Indonesian Penal Code and the use of guns to disturb the public order which is set out in Section 4.4.7 of UNTAET REGULATION No. 05/2001.

In his closing statement the counsel for the defence said that at the time of the incident his clients were carrying out their duties as PNTL officers. He also stated that the confiscation of cigarettes by the defendants had absolutely no relation whatsoever with the charges against his clients. They were carrying their duties as police officers so they are obliged to confiscate any goods illegally entering Timor Leste.

The defence requested for the Panel of Judges to acquit the defendants from all charges and pardon them in accordance with the applicable law in Timor Leste, because the fundamental reason for a trial is not just to punish but to establish the facts as fairly as possible. JSMP hopes that the Panel of Judges in this case will consider all matters in accordance with the applicable law before issuing a decision that is fair on all parties. In the words of the philosopher and legal academic Immanuel Kant “even if the world falls apart, the law must be upheld”.

What hard power the UN has must be begged and borrowed from the member states. And when they cannot agree on a course of action, it is difficult for the organisation to operate. As one wag has put it, ‘We have met the UN and it is us!’

With 192 members and a mandate that covers everything from security to refugees to public health, the United Nations is the world’s only global organisation. But polls in the United States show that two-thirds of Americans think the UN is doing a poor job, and many believe it was tarnished by corruption during the Iraq oil-for-food programme under Saddam Hussein. Many also blame the UN for failing to solve the Middle East’s myriad problems.

But such views reflect a misunderstanding of the UN’s nature. The UN is more an instrument of its member states than an independent actor in world politics.

True, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon can make speeches, convene meetings, and propose actions, but his role is more secretary than general. Sometimes likened to a “secular Pope,” the UN Secretary General can wield the soft power of persuasion but little hard economic or military power. What hard power the UN has must be begged and borrowed from the member states. And when they cannot agree on a course of action, it is difficult for the organisation to operate. As one wag has put it, “We have met the UN and it is us!” When blame is assigned, much of it belongs to the members. Consider the oil for food programme, which was designed by member states to provide relief to Iraqis hurt by sanctions against Saddam’s regime. The secretariat did an inadequate job of monitoring the programme and some corruption was involved. But the much larger sums that Saddam diverted for his own purposes reflected how the member governments designed the programme, and they chose to turn a blind eye to the abuse. Yet the programme’s problems are portrayed in the press as “the UN’s fault.

The cost of the entire UN system is about $20 billion, or less than the annual bonuses paid out in a good year on Wall Street. Of that sum, the secretariat in New York accounts for a mere 10%. Some universities have larger budgets.

Another $7 billion supports UN peacekeeping forces in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lebanon, Haiti, and the Balkans. The rest - more than half - is spent by the UN’s specialised agencies, which are located around the world and often play an important role in managing global trade, development, health, and humanitarian assistance.

For example, the UN High Commission for Refugees helps to alleviate the problems of displaced persons, the World Food Programme provides assistance to malnourished children, and the World Health Organisation supports the public health information systems that are crucial for dealing with threats from pandemics like avian flu. The UN does not have the resources to solve the problems in new areas like AIDS or global climate change, but it can play an important convening role in galvanising the actions of governments.

Even in the area of security, the UN retains an important role. The original 1945 concept of collective security, by which states would band together to deter and punish aggressors, failed because the Soviet Union and the West were at loggerheads during the Cold War.

For a brief moment after a broad coalition of countries acted together to force Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait in 1991, it looked like the original concept of collective security would become “a new world order.” Such hopes were short-lived. Consensus within the UN proved unachievable on both Kosovo in 1999 and Iraq in 2003.

Sceptics concluded that the UN had become irrelevant for security questions. Yet in 2006, when Israel and Hezbollah fought to a stalemate in Lebanon, states were only too happy to turn to a UN peacekeeping force.

Ironically, peacekeeping was not specified in the original charter. It was invented by the second Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjold, and Canadian Foreign Minister Lester Pearson after Britain and France invaded Egypt in the Suez crisis of 1956. Since then, UN peacekeeping forces have been deployed more than 60 times.

There are now roughly 100,000 troops from various countries wearing UN blue helmets around the world. Peacekeeping has had its ups and downs. Bosnia and Rwanda were failures in the 1990’s, and then Secretary General Kofi Annan proposed reforms to deal with genocide and mass killings. In September 2005, the states in the UN General Assembly accepted the existence of a “responsibility to protect” vulnerable peoples. In other words, governments could no longer treat their citizens however they wanted.

A new Peace-building Commission was also created to coordinate actions that could help prevent a recurrence of genocidal acts. In East Timor, for example, the UN proved vital in the transition to independence, and it is now working out plans for the governments of Burundi and Sierra Leone. In the DRC, peacekeeping forces have not been able to curb all violence, but they have helped to save lives. The current test case is the situation in Sudan’s Darfur region, where diplomats are trying to establish a joint peacekeeping force under the UN and the African Union.

In the poisonous political atmosphere that has bedeviled the UN after the Iraq War, widespread disillusionment is not surprising. Ban Ki Moon has a tough job. But, rather than calling the UN into question, states are likely to find that they need such a global instrument, with its unique convening and legitimising powers. While the UN system is far from perfect, the world would be a poorer and more disorderly place without it.

-DT-PS- Joseph S. Nye Jr is a professor at Harvard and the author of Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics.

"UPI, Jakarta, Jan 31 - The governor of East Timor Friday called on separatist guerillas Friday to come out of hiding.

Mario Viegas Carrascalao also warned East Timorese not to listen to foreign radio accounts of the international outcry over the Dili massacre Nov. 12 when Indonesian troops opened fire on independence demonstrators, killing dozens.

Carrascalao said the guerillas should come out of hiding in the jungle and help with the development of the province, joining their families who have accepted East Timor's bloody annexation by Indonesia 17 years ago.

"I am calling them to return and stop wandering in the jungle without aim, because there is much to be done to develop East Timor," he said.

He said the foreign radio broadcasts from Portugal, Australia and the Netherlands should be ignored. The reports were "only interested in cheating and misleading the people by telling lies and nonsenses," he said. "

THE PORTUGUESE HAVE A SAYING WHICH IS OFTEN USED AS A WARNING TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE A TENDENCY TO EASILY JUDGE OR ACCUSE OTHERS OF WRONG DOING, “DON’T SPIT INTO THE WIND”. THE REASON BEING THAT THE WORDS YOU CAST OUT WILL INEVITABLY COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU; SALIVA BLOWN BACK IN YOUR FACE BY THE WIND.

MVC, did you really believe in what you were saying as reported below? Or were you simply trying to “end the conflict” and “save lives”? I for one am glad the Falintil and Clandestine resistance disagreed with you. We won and you lost. But readers, please judge for yourself whether this man is fit to be a leader in our nation until he undertakes a bit of the old Latin “mia culpa” and mouths a “Maaf. Maaf. Rakyat Timor-Leste, Rakyat MAUBERE!!!!!!!

Carrascalao Surrender CallDate: Sat Feb 01 1992

UPI, Jakarta, Jan 31 - The governor of East Timor Friday called onseparatist guerillas Friday to come out of hiding.Mario Viegas Carrascalao also warned East Timorese not to listen toforeign radio accounts of the international outcry over the Dilimassacre Nov. 12 when Indonesian troops opened fire on independencedemonstrators, killing dozens.Carrascalao said the guerillas should come out of hiding in thejungle and help with the development of the province, joining theirfamilies who have accepted East Timor's bloody annexation by Indonesia17 years ago."I am calling them to return and stop wandering in the jungle withoutaim, because there is much to be done to develop East Timor," he said.He said the foreign radio broadcasts from Portugal, Australia and theNetherlands should be ignored. The reports were "only interested incheating and misleading the people by telling lies and nonsenses," hesaid.

WOW:“stop wandering in the jungle without aim” - THEY DID HAVE AN AIM, AS YOU DID. THEIRS TO FREE OUR OPPRESSED PEOPLE. YOURS, TO PERPETUATE THE OPPRESSION. DIFFERENT AIMS, BUT DIFFERENT RESULTS: AND YOU WERE ON THE WRONG SIDE.

WOW AND WOW:"only interested in cheating and misleading the people by telling lies and nonsenses," – CHEATING AND MISLEADING WITH “DREAMS” OF INDEPENDENCE, DREAMS OF SELF-DETERMINATION? LIES AND NONSENSE LIKE “HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND ILLEGAL OCCUPATION” PERHAPS?

WOW! THERE ARE YOUR INDICTMENTS…………ARE GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY OF CHEATING AND MISLEADING THE WORLD BY TELLING LIES AND NONSENSES ON BEHALF OF YOUR INDONESIAN MASTERS???????